Child support is awarded to the custodial parent and it’s based on a formula. The formula calculates both parties’ pretax income. Alimony is awarded generally if there are no children involved or if the children are grown. And the alimony is awarded in order to equalize the party’s income if one party has been a stay at home mom or dad and the other party has been earning significant income throughout the marriage. The alimony will equalize and put the lower earning party into the same position as they were during the marriage.